Sadly, attempts at synergy create grotesque monsters like State Property,
the new movie from Roc-a-fella records. Roc-a-fella is home to rap stars
Jay-Z, Damon Dash, and a host of others, many of who have roles in this
movie. Theoretically, the movie is a means to capitalize on their fan
base. Fans of their music will want to see the movie, and people who aren't
fans who see the movie may want to buy their records. Well, whoever sees
this movie will not want to do anything to support Roc-a-fella, lest they
release more horrible movies. Essentially, these people know rap. They
should stick with rap. State Property is about the rise of a small-time
drug dealer. Its basic premise is something that can be found in any number
of rap songs; violence, drugs, the thug life, more violence, violence,
violence, and guns. State Property is not a movie, it is an extended
rap video minus the music.

What is missing is a dope beat and a deft lyrical delivery, leaving the
movie looking flat and lifeless. Cleverly rapping about this one thing,
watching it is another. Writer/director Abdul Malik Abbott (Streets
is Watching) and co-writer Ernest "Tron" Anderson have a lot to learn
about writing and directing films. They use a digital camera, which gives
the film a cheap look, and fill the screen often with random violence
and naked women. The quality is akin to something a group of friends decide
to make on a weekend. They all think it is cool, but it plays like one
big inside joke that nobody else understands. Take all of the 'f'-words
and 'n'-words out of the script and probably one-third of the dialogue
disappears. The special effects all involve gunshots, wounds, and blood,
and they are all cheap. The acting is worse. Most of the actors unwittingly
induce groans or laughs with their performances.

Beans (Beanie Sigel, Backstage) decides he wants to be rich, and
that the way to do this is to sell drugs. To do this, he and his crew
murder their way to the top. Abbott annoying skips over most of his rise
to the top, except for a couple killings. Beans wants money, and is unwilling
to share it with others. If they hesitate, they die. As his empire expands,
he is able to move into the suburbs with is girl and their daughter. However,
Dame (Damon Dash, Backstage, Highlander:
Endgame), another dealer is finally willing to stand up to Beans
and his men, sparking a small but public war. State Property portrays
this struggle much less interestingly than it sounds. Most of the movie
is Sigel yelling, and he is just not effective as an actor. Sadly enough,
he is probably one of the better people here. Aside from attempting to
further the acting careers of some of its rap stars, there is no apparent
reason why this movie exists. It does not posit anything meaningful on
any topic whatsoever. It is not engaging as an action movie, nor is it
as a drama. Worst of all, it is too dull a movie to enjoy mocking it while
watching.